University of Virginia Library

21. CHAPTER XXI.
A STRANGE COMPANION.

At ten o'clock the next day Harry presented himself at the hotel. He carried in his hand a carpetbag lent him by Mr. Leavitt, which contained his small stock of under-clothing. His outside suits he left at Mr. Leavitt's.

"I see you are on time,'' said the professor.

"Yes, sir; I always mean to be.''

"That's well; now if you'll jump into my buggy with me, we will ride round to the Town Hall, and take in my apparatus. I have to keep a carriage,'' said the magician, as they rode along. "As a general thing, the places at which I give entertainments are near together, and my horse answers my purpose.''

They drew up in front of the Town Hall, and in a short time the apparatus was transferred to a trunk in the back part of the buggy, and securely locked.

"Would you like to drive?''

"Yes, sir,'' answered Harry, with alacrity.

"I am going to give an entertainment in Holston this evening,'' said his new employer. "Were you ever there?''

"No, sir.''

"It is a smart little place, and, although the population is not large, I always draw a full house.''

His companion leaned back at his ease, and talked

socially on various subjects. He paused a moment, and Harry was startled by hearing a stifled child's voice just behind him: "Oh, let me out! Don't keep me locked up here!''

The reins nearly fell from his hands. He turned, and heard the voice apparently proceeding from the trunk.

The truth flashed upon Harry. His companion was exerting some of his powers as a ventriloquist.

"Oh, it is you, sir,'' he said, smiling.

His companion smiled.

"You are right,'' he said.

"I don't see how you can do it,'' said Harry, in admiration. "It was perfectly natural.''

"Practice, my boy.''

A week later, Harry reached a brisk manufacturing place which I will call Centreville. In company with his employer he drove over from a neighboring town, and, according to custom, put up at the village hotel. He assisted the professor during the afternoon to get ready the hall for his evening performance, and, at half-past five, took his seat at the supper table.

Just as Harry began to eat he lifted his eyes and started in surprise as he recognized, in his opposite neighbor, Luke Harrison. Precisely at the same moment, Luke also looked up, and the recognition was mutual. Luke was disagreeably startled at Harry's sudden appearance. Not knowing his connection with Professor Henderson, he fancied that our hero was in quest of him, and not being skilled in the law, felt a little apprehension as to what course he might take.

"How are you, Walton?'' he said.

"I am well,'' said Harry, coldly.

"How do you happen to be in this neighborhood?''

"On business,'' said Harry, briefly.

Luke jumped to the conclusion that the business related to him, and, conscious of wrong-doing, felt disturbed.

"You left us rather suddenly,'' said Harry. "No one knew where you had gone.''

"Why, yes,'' said Luke, hesitating. "I had reasons. I'll tell you about it after supper.''

As Harry rose from the table Luke rose, also, and joined him.

"Come upstairs to my room, Walton,'' he said, "and have a cigar.''

"I'll go upstairs with you, but I don't smoke.''

He led the way into a small apartment on the top floor.

"This is my den,'' he said. "There isn't but one chair; but I'll sit on the bed. When did you reach town?''

"About noon.''

"Are you going to stop long?''

"I shall stay here till I get through with my errand,'' answered Harry, shrewdly; for he saw what Luke thought.

Luke looked a little uneasy.

"By the way, Walton,'' he said, "I believe I owe you a little money.''

"Yes; I believe so.''

"Here are five dollars,'' he said; "I'll pay you the rest as soon as I can—in a week or two.''

Harry took the bank note with secret self-con

gratulation, for he had given up the debt as bad.

"I am glad to get it,'' he said. "I have a use for all my money. Are you working in this town?''

"Yes. The shoe business is carried on here considerably. Are you still working for Mr. Leavitt?''

"No; I have left him.''

"What are you doing?''

"I'm traveling with Professor Henderson.''

"What, the magician?''

"Yes.''

"And is that what brought you to Centreville?'' asked Luke, quickly.

"Yes.''

"I thought,'' answered Luke, evasively, "that you might be looking for work in some of the shoeshops here.''

"Is there any chance, do you think?''

"No, I don't think there is,'' said Luke, hastily.

"Then I shall probably stay with the professor for the present.''

"What do you do?''

"Take tickets at the door and help him before-hand with his apparatus.''

"You'll let me in free, to-night, won't you?''

"That isn't for me to decide. It isn't my entertainment.''

"What a fool I was to pay him that five dollars!'' thought Luke, regretfully. "If I hadn't been such a simpleton, I should have found out what brought him here, before throwing away nearly all I had.''

This was the view Luke took of paying his debts. He regarded it as money thrown away. Apparently, a good many young men are of a similar opinion. This was not, however, according to Harry's code, and was never likely to be. He believed in honesty and integrity. If he hadn't I should feel far less confidence in his ultimate success.

"I think I must leave you,'' said Harry, rising.

"The professor may need me.''

"Does it pay as much as Leavitt did?''

"Rather more.''

"I wouldn't mind trying it myself. Do you handle all the money?''

"I take the money at the door.''

"I suppose you might keep back a dollar or so every night, and he'd never know the difference.''

"I don't know. I never thought about that,'' said Harry, dryly.

"Oh, I remember, you're one of the pious boys,'' sneered Luke.

"I'm too pious to take money that doesn't belong to me, if that's what you mean,'' said Harry.

"Do you mean that for me?'' Luke demanded, angrily.

"Mean what for you?''

"That about keeping other people's money,'' blustered Luke.

"I wasn't talking about you at all. I was talking about myself.''

"I don't believe in people that set themselves up to be so much better than anybody else.''

"Do you mean that for me?'' asked Harry, smiling.

"Yes, I do. What are you going to do about it?''

"Nothing,'' said Harry, quietly, "except to deny

that I make any such claims. Shall you come around to the hall to-night?''

"Perhaps so.''

"Then I shall see you. I must be going now.''

He went out, leaving Luke vainly deploring the loss of the five dollars which he had so foolishly squandered in paying his debt.